Bulldozer



March 8, 1960 Filed Sept. 3. 1954 A. E. BLOMQUIST BULLDOZER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS March 8, 1960 A. E. BLOMQUIST BULLDOZER 2 Sheets-Staget 2 Filed Sept. 3. 1954 mM, m f) Y e B United States Patent F BULLDOZER Albert E. Blomquist, Ringoes, N.J., assignor to Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation, Hagerstown, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application September 3, 1954, Serial No. 454,076

9 Claims. (31. 37-1175 This invention relates to bulldozers and relates especially to improvements in bulldozer blades and mounting means therefor for attachment in front of a propelling vehicle.

' In a bulldozer, better and more efiective operation is made possible when the inertia is due to the bulldozer blade itself rather than the vehicle. However, massive ness and great weight during transportation of a bulldozer to a place of intended use are in any case a decided disadvantage.

It is an object of this invention to provide construction for a bulldozer blade and means for mounting the bull dozer blade in front of a propelling vehicle whereby a bulldozer blade may have imparted thereto a maximum amount of steadiness and effective inertia in relation to the size and weight of the parts.

It is a feature of this invention that the mounting means for a bulldozer blade whereby it is adjustably carried in front of a propelling vehicle is such that the force applied to the back of the bulldozer blade for both pushing it forward and providing inertia thereto is distributed and applied so as to provide maximum stability and effectiveness in the use of the bulldozer blade. To this end both the inertia of the vehicle and the inertia of a ballast compartment are transmitted to the bulldozer blade adjacent both the upper margin thereof and the lower marginthereof.

A more particular aspect and feature of this invention resides in the combination with the bulldozer blade of a ballast compartment which is secured directly to the back of the bulldozer blade by suitable securing means which preferably is such that the ballast compartment is secured to the back of the bulldozer blade both adjacent the upper margin of the bulldozer blade and adjacent the lower margin of the bulldozer blade. In preferred construction the side walls and bottom of the ballast compartment are rigidly secured to the back of the bulldozer blade and the forward wall of the ballast compartment is provided by a portion of the bulldozer blade itself. By securing the ballast compartment directly to the back of the bulldozer blade the entire weight of the compartment as well as the ballast contained therein is effective at the bulldozer blade for preventing the bulldozer blade from being displaced in any direction.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of means whereby a ballast compartment which is secured to the back of the bulldozer blade may be automatically filled. As will be described more in detail hereinbelow, this has been preferably accomplished by providing an opening in the bulldozer blade itself in the region where the ballast compartment is secured to the back thereof and by providing a closure for the opening so that when the closure has been opened forward propulsion of the bulldozer blade in the usual way will automaticaly fill the ballast compartment from in front of the bulldozer blade and through the opening therein.

Another feature of this invention resides in the fact that the inertia of the vehicle is transmitted directly to 2,927,385 Patented Mar. 8, 1960- the bulldozer blade so as to be eifectively applied both adjacent the upper margin thereof and adjacent the lower margin thereof by horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured to the blade and to the vehicle for angular movement in a vertical plane relative to said blade and said vehicle, respectively, there being brace means disposed in a vertical angle relative to the arm means and power actuated means comprised in the arm means whereby desired positioning of the bulldozer blade during use may be effected. The term horizontally tainer which is secured to the backof the bulldozer blade.

While the features of this invention are preferably employed in combination in order to afford the enhanced benefits and utility which result from such combination, certain features of this invention may be practiced separately.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention are apparent from the following description of certain embodiments of this invention which have been shown for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the front portion of a bulldozer vehicle showing the bulldozer blade and mounting means therefor of this invention mounted on the front end of a propelling vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bulldozer shown in Fig. 1,

only one-half being shown since the other half is the along the center line constituting the upper margin of Fig. 2.

In the drawings the propelling vehicle is indicated generally by the reference character 10 and comprises the body 11 which is carried on the wheels 12. The vehicle may be provided with a cab 13 where the operator and the controls used by the operator may be conveniently located. Suitable means (not shown) may be used for supplying power to the wheels 12 for propelling the vehicle in either direction. While a vehicle has been shown of the type comprising large wheels on which a pneumatic tire may be placed, it is apparent that any other type of means for carrying and propelling the vehicle body 11 may be employed, e.g., endless treads.

The bulldozer blade is indicated generally by the reference character 14. Extending rearwardly therefrom is the ballast container which is indicated generally by the reference character 15. In the embodiment shown the ballast container comprises the side walls 16, the bottom 17 and the rear wall 18 which is integral with the side wall 16 and with the bottom 17. The side w& 16 and the bottom 17 contact the back of the bulldozer blade in conformity therewith and are rigidly secured to the back of the bulldozer blade 14 as by welding. The forward portion of the ballast container is provided by the portion.

of the bulldozer blade which lies in front of where the side walls 16 and the bottom 17 of the ballast compartment are rigidly secured thereto.

For admitting ballast into the ballast container 15 as' t well as jettisoningballast-therefrom the portion of the bulldozerblade' which constitutes the forward wall of the ballast compartment has an opening therein over which there is disposed the closure or door 19. The closure 19 is hingedly secured to the portion of the bulldozer blade adjacent the'upper margin thereof by the'hinges 20 which permit "the closure 19 to be swung outwardly and up-' wardly to the'position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

V Itispreferable that the closure 19 be provided with power actuated means for opening and closing it. Inthe fembodiment shown such power actuated means consistsv in; the curved arm 21 which is rigidly secured to the inner surfaceof the closure 19 and which is pivqtally secured .atthe hinge 22 to the end of a piston 23''that'operatcs the hydraulic cylinder 24, the hydraulic cylinder 24 being pivotally secured at the hinge 25 to the lug 26 that is attached to the rear wall 18 of the ballast container. For simplicity and clarity in the drawings hydraulic lines leading to the cylinder 24 for actuating thepiston 23in either direction have not beenshown inasmuch asfsuch lines and means for controlling hydraulic pressure therein theretcji. The upper means 27comprises piston "member 29 which is pivotally connected by the hinge '30 to the hinge part 31 that is secured to thebulldozer blade 14 adjacent the upper margin thereof, as by welding. The

upper arm means 27 also comprises the hydraulic cylin:

der 32 which is pivotally secured to the vehicle body 11 by the hinge 33 which comprises the hinge part 34 that is secured as by rivetingto the vehicle body 11. The hinges and 33'are such that the arm means 27 is mounted for angular movement in a substantially vertical plane in relation both to the bulldozer blade 14 and the vehicle body 11.

The lower arm means 28 is similar to the upper am y means 27 andconiprises the piston member 35 which is connected bypthe hinge 36 to the hinge part 37 that is Secured to the bulldozer bladeadjaccnt the lower margin thereof. The lower arm means 28 also comprises the are conventional and well known. For like reasons the hydraulic lines leading to the cylinders 32 and 38, to be described below, have not been shown.

far that even though the'bulldozer blade 14 may be made of relatively light gauge metal the ballast compartment It is believed to be evident'from the description thus.

15 when filled with ballast increases the inertia of thew bulldozer blade many times. Moreover, since the ballast compartment 15 is distributed so that its securement to the back of the bulldozer blade comes adjacent .both the upper margin and the lower margin of the bulldozer blade, the inertia effect ofl the ballast is evenly distributed so as to enable lighter gauge metal to be usedboth in 'the' resisting both vertical movements and horizontal movements is at the bulldozer bladeitself where it is of maximum elfectivenes's.

When it is desired to fill the ballast'com'partment all the'operator has to do is to operate the hydraulic cylinder 24 so as to swing the door 19 outwardly and upwardly ,to

the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. After this has been done the vehicle can be propelled to push the bull- .dozer blade 14 into a mass of earth and force the earth into the ballast compartment 15. Upon then operating the hydraulic cylinder 24 to effect the closing of'the, door 19 the ballast will be effectively contained and retained in theballast compartment 15 to supply the inertia to the bulldozer blade in the manner and with'the advantages aforesaid. After the work has been finished it is a-very simple matter upon opening the door 19,- to permitthe dumping of the ballast so as to restore the parts to the V light-weight condition that is desirable for transportation.

While the means for opening and closing the closure 19 has been described hereinabove as though there were only a single hydraulic cylinder 24 and associated parts, as *shown in Fig. 2, it is to be understood that the cylinder 24 and the parts associated therewith are duplicated; More over, if desired, more than two such cylinders may be used. These comments apply to the structural elements to'be described hereinbelow which are comprised in the mounting means whereby the bulldozer blade 14 is mount ed in front of the propelling vehiclelfl. The mounting means of this invention for mounting the bulldozer blade in front of the propelling vehicle has 7 been "exemplified in the drawings as comprising 'upp'er 9 part '45 that is securedto the vehicle body '11 at a level hydraulic cylinder 38 which is connccted by the hinge 39 to the hinge part 40 that is secured'to thevehicle body 11. The hinges 36 and 39 are suchas to provide angular movement in a vertical plane of thearm mean's'28 rela tive to the bulldozer blade14 and the vehicle body 11. in order that the angle in a horizontal plane thatthe arm means 28 makes with the bulldozer blade 14 and the vehicle body 11 also may be varied, the hinges 36 and 39 are of the universal type for permitting such angular movement'in the horizontal plane asw'ell'as in a vertical plane. Since the upper arm means27 and the lower arm means 28 are substantially horizontally dispos'ed'in substantially parallel horizontally disposedplanes and are-hingedly secured in themannerdescribed both'to the bulldozer blade 14 and to thevehicle body '11, additional brace means is required for holding up the bulldozer blade. In'th'e embodiment shown this additional brace means consists of thestrut 41 which is Iconnected by a universal type hinge 42 tothe hinge part 43 which is secured to the bulldozer blade adjacent the uppermargin thereof. The strut 41'eXtends diagonally downwardly soas to be connected by a universal type hinge 44 which comprises the hinge which is adjacent that at which the lower arm means 28 is secured to the vehicle bodyl l. By virtue of the angular relationship between the strut 41 and the upper and lower arm means 27 and 28 respectively the bulldozer blade 14 is supported in front of the vehicle body 11. The hydraulic'cylinder32'in the arm'means 27 and the hydraulic cylinder 38 in the arm means 28 are operable for longitudinally extending and contracting the arm means 27 and 28 either together or selectively, as maybe desired, for controlling the-position of the bulldozer blade 14. For example, by extending the upper arm means 27, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 -thei'posi-,

tion of the bulldozer blade is changed to the lowered positionshown in dottedlines inFig. 1. If itshouldibe desired that the bulldozer blade,14inthelowe1fl i tionshown in dotted lines in Fig.1 remain at essentially the same inclination'shown in solid lines, then the ;l1ydr'aulic cylinder '38 in the lowerarm means 28 can likewise be actuated to extend the longitudinal length of the lower arm means to likewise bring forward the lower margin of the bulldozer blade. Conversely by contract- 7 ing the length of the upperarm means the bulldozer blade combination with the strut-means 41 provide wer activated means forelevating and lowering the forward ends ofthe arm means relative to the vehicle.

means, which is indicated generally by the reference 7 character 27, and lower arrn means, which is indicated generally by the'reference character 28, for connecting the bulldozer blade to thevehicle in' adjustable relation can be elevated. Thus, the upper and-lower arm means provide-means whereby thebulldozer blade may be held in a substantially vertical plane,-and these armrmeans in While the forward 'end of the upper'andlowcna'rm means 27 and'28 may be raised and lowered-for the .purpose offadjusting the position of a bulldozer blade each of these-'armmeans is to be-regarded as being horizontal: 1y disposed for they are adapted, when in atleast one angular position, to be "substantially horizontal and likewise are disposed in the at -least"approximatcly horizcnlfl line of thrust imposed by a mass of earth in-front of the bulldozer blade in the direction of the vehicle body during forward propulsion of the vehicle. It is to be noted that these horizontally directed lines of thrust are directly applied from the vehicle to the bulldozer blade adjacent both the upper and the lower margins thereof so as to provide positive support backed by the inertia of the vehicle for resisting shocks imposed, whether the shocks are exerted adjacent-the upper margin of the bulldozer blade or adjacent the lowermargin. Thus much more effective use of the inertia of the vehicle is afforded and the bulldozer blade is held in such way as to be more resistant to displacement by shocks and so as to have greater strength for the thickness and weight of the metal used in the bulldozer blade and mounting means therefor.

While this invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that this has been done for illustrative purposes and that the structure shown may be modified without departing from the principles utilized according to this invention as hereinabove described and exemplified. Thus while preferred means for automatically filling the ballast compartment have been shown, the ballast compartment could, if desired, be filled and emptied by hand or a clean-out door could be provided in the bottom thereof. Similarly, the mounting means for the bulldozer blade may be varied without departing from the scope of this invention. Thus the brace means which has been shown as comprising the strut 41 could be varied by replacing the strut 41 with a member having some other vertical angular relation with respect to the arm means 27 and 28 for coaction with these arm means in providing support for the bulldozer blade. For example, the member 41 could be disposed angularly in the other direction with respect to the arm means 27 and 28, i.e., with the forward end lowermost, so as to serve as a tie bar for securement to the bulldozer blade adjacent the lower margin thereof and securement to the vehicle body at an elevation which is adjacent that of the hinge means by which the upper arm means is hingedly secured to the vehicle body 11.

I claim:

1. A bulldozer comprising in combination a bulldozer blade, a propelling vehicle, a ballast compartment, means for rigidly securing said ballast compartment to the back of said bulldozer blade adjacent the upper margin of said bulldozer blade and adjacent the lower margin of said bulldozer blade, and mounting means for mounting said bulldozer blade in front of said vehicle, said mounting means comprising first horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end there-- of to said bulldozer blade adjacent the upper margin thereof and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said first arm means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, second horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said bulldozer blade adjacent the lower margin thereof and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said second arm means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, power actuated means comprised in said first arm means for longitudinally extending and contracting said first arm means, power actuated means comprised in said second arm means for longitudinally extending and contracting said second arm means, and brace means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said blade and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, said brace means being disposed in vertical angular relation with respect to said first and second arm means for coaction therewith in supporting said blade in front of said vehicle.

2. A bulldozer comprising in combination a bulldozer blade, a propelling vehicle, a ballast compartment, securing means for rigidly securing said ballast compartment directly to the back of said blade adjacent the upper margin of said blade and adjacent the lower margin of said blade, said bulldozer blade having an opening therein communicating with the interior of said ballast compartment from the front of said bulldozer blade, a closure for said opening hingedly mounted from above to said blade for swinging outwardly and upwardly, power actuated means for opening and closing said closure, first horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said bulldozer blade adjacent the upper margin thereof and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said first arm means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, second horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said blade adjacent the lower margin thereof and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said second arm means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, power actuated means comprised in said first arm means for longitudinally extending and contracting said first arm means, power actuated means comprised in said second arm means for longitudinally extending and contracting said second arm means, and strut means hingedly secured to said bulldozer blade adjacent the upper margin thereof for angular movement in a substantially vertical plane and hingedly secured adjacent the other end thereof to. said vehicle at a level adjacent the level at which said second arm means is hingedly secured to said vehicle for angular movement relative to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane.

3. A bulldozer comprising a bulldozer blade, a propelling vehicle, and mounting means for mounting said blade in front of said vehicle, said mounting means comprising first horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said blade adjacent the upper margin thereof and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said arm means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, second horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said blade adjacent the lower margin and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said second arm means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, power actuated means comprised in said first arm means for longitudinally extending and contracting said first arm means, power actuated means comprised in said second arm means for longitudinally extending and contracting said second arm means, and brace means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said blade and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, said brace means being disposed in vertical angular relation with respect to said first and second arm means for coaction therewith in supporting said blade in front of said vehicle.

4. A bulldozer comprising a bulldozer blade, a propelling vehicle and mounting means for mounting said blade in front of said vehicle, said mounting means comprising first horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said blade adjacent the upper margin thereof and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said arm means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, second horizontally disposed extensible arm means hingedly secured adjacent one end thereof to said blade adjacent the lower margin thereof and adjacent the other end thereof to said vehicle for angular movement of said second ann means relative to said blade and to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane, power actuated means comprised in said first arm means for longitudinally extending and contracting said therein when said blade is'used for movingearth.

v first arm means, power aetuatedm'eanscomprised in said secondarm means for longitudinally extending'and'contracting said second arm means, and strut means hingedly' second arm means is .hingedly secured to said vehicle for angular movement relative to said vehicle in a substantially vertical plane.

a ballast compartment extending rearwardly from the V back of said blade. and secured to the back of said-blade adjacent the top and bottom margins of -said blade, said compartment having a hinged closure member comprised 7 in'the forwardportion thereof adapted to be moved between open'position adapted foringress of'ballast into, said compartment responsive to forward propulsion *of said blade and closedposition adapted to retain ballast 6. A bulldozer blade havingincombination therewithaballastcompartmentwhichissecured to the back of said blade and the forward wall of which'is constituted bysa portion of said bulldozer blade, said portion of said bulldozer blade constituting the-forward wall of said ballast compartment having a ballast receiving opening" therein for reception of ballast through said opening from in front of said bulldozer blade into said; compartment, and'a'closure for said opening hingedly mounted from above for swinging outwardly and upwardly, and power actuated means for opening and closing said closure. 7. A bulldozer comprising in combination a bulldozer blade, a propelling .vehicle, horizontally idispos'ed arm means projecting forwardlyfrom'said vehicle',ysaid arm means being hingedly secured adjacent the forward end 7 thereof to said bulldo'zer blade. and'hingedly'secured ad,-

jacent the other end thereof-to said vehiclejfor angular movement of said arm-means relative vto said blade and tossaid vehicle in a substantiallvvertical plane, means for holding. said blade-in. a vertically disposed plane, poweractuated means for elevating and lowering the forward end of said arm means relative to said'vehicle, and" a ballast compartment rigidly secured directly to the back of said blade.

' wardpropulsionof said blade by'saidvehicle; and which comprises a removableclosure for'said opening adapted when in position for closing said opening to retain ballast in said compartment and to prevent ingress of earth through said opening into said compartment when-said 1 I a 10 5.1Abulldozer blade having in. combination therewith blade is used for'moving earth.

dozer blade, mounting; means comprising arms secured at :their forward ends directly to a first portion of said bulldozer blade and at their: rearward ends to said vehicle for mountingsaid bulldozer blade infront of said vehicle in adjustable relation therewith, a ballast compartment immediately. back of; said blade which is carried by said first portion of said bulldozer blade in-rigidly-secured-relation therewith and the forward wall of which-is pro- .videdprimarily by a second portion of-said bulldozer blade, and means for'mountingsaidsecdnd portion of said bulldozer blade for T movement -relative to said. first portion of said bulldozer blade between a position charging ballast into said ballast compartment'respo'nsive to forward propulsion of said blade'and a position closing said opening and retaining ballast in said compartment when said blade is used for moving'earth.

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Williams et a1 Mar. 3, 1959 i will Ate-rattan 

